NPR News Now — August 28, 2025, 1AM EDT

Host: Shea Stevens
Date: August 28, 2025
Episode Theme:
A fast-paced, five-minute update covering prominent national and international news, highlighting a tragic school shooting in Minneapolis, developments in U.S. immigration and detention, escalating violence and humanitarian concerns in Gaza, political tensions over crime response in Illinois, and transportation updates including Amtrak’s new high-speed trains.

Mass Shooting at Minneapolis Catholic School

[00:15 - 01:16]

• Incident Details:

  • There was a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a Wednesday Mass.
  • Two children, aged 8 and 10, were killed; 17 others were injured.
  • The event has deeply affected the community, eliciting both grief and outrage.

• Responses:

  • Pope Leo:
    • Issued a statement offering "heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child." (Jason DeRose quoting Vatican Statement)
  • Archbishop Bernard Hebda:
    • Called for an end to gun violence, stating:

      "Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetuated against the vulnerable and innocent.”

    • The Archdiocese is providing support and resources to the affected families.

• Reporter: Jason DeRose

U.S. Immigration Detention Facility Developments

[01:16 - 01:53]

• Facility Closure:

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is emptying a major immigration detention center in South Florida.
  • The move follows a judge's order to dismantle parts of the site.

• Governor Ron DeSantis:

  • Announced that a new detention facility will open in Jacksonville.

• Government Official (Unnamed):

  • On ongoing needs:

    “Ultimately, you know, if DHS expands their own footprinting capacity, then maybe that need will go down. But as of right now, that need is very strong. And so I do think that they have increased the pace of the removals from there.” [01:36]

• Environmental and Tribal Concerns:

  • The current facility is located in wetlands home to alligators and wildlife.
  • The Miccosukee tribe has long opposed the facility, citing harm to traditional lands.

Escalating Crisis in Gaza City

[01:53 - 03:01]

• Israeli Defense Forces:

  • Warn of an inevitable mass evacuation of Gaza City as they expand their offensive.

• On-the-Ground Reporting:

  • Daniel Estrin:
    • Notes residents are already fleeing Israeli strikes, although no formal evacuation order has been issued.
  • Anas Baba:
    • Describes a father with his two children on the street, surrounded only by luggage, a tent, and some food:

      “He’s sitting above all his luggage, his tent, some food, and that’s it.” [02:34]

    • The family faces ongoing chaos and danger.

• Palestinian Resident, Ibrahim Abu Hamadan:

  • Shares the dire reality:

    “The crazy barbarian indiscriminate bombardment. Dead bodies and the injured are on the streets. We call on international bodies to provide us with protection. We are civilians.” [02:42]

White House Meeting and U.S.-Israel Relations

[03:01 - 03:13]

• The White House hosted Israeli officials for talks on postwar Gaza amid rising humanitarian concerns.

Crime and Political Tensions in Illinois

[03:13 - 04:09]

• Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker:

  • Reiterates opposition to federal military intervention in state policing, threatening to sue if troops are deployed.
  • Stance comes after President Trump’s threats to send National Guard troops to crime-affected cities.

• Chicago Crime Data:

  • 573 murders reported last year; violent crime has reportedly dropped by 22% in the first half of the current year.

U.S. Transportation Updates: Amtrak's New Trains

[04:09 - 04:47]

• Amtrak’s Next-Generation Acela Trains:

  • Top speeds of 160 mph, 10 mph faster than the older fleet.
  • Trains are lighter, larger, and have 27% more seating capacity.

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy:

  • At the launch event:

    “They’re beautiful, they’re going to be faster, but most importantly, a better experience for the traveling public.” [04:27]

• Context:

  • Amtrak celebrates record ridership amid the Trump administration’s attempt to withdraw federal funding from a California high-speed rail project.

Markets Update

[04:47 - 04:54]

• Wall Street:
  • U.S. futures are “mostly lower” in after-hours trading.

Memorable Quotes

• Pope Leo:

  "Heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child." (Jason DeRose quoting, [00:39])

• Archbishop Bernard Hebda:

  "Our community is rightfully outraged at such horrific acts of violence perpetuated against the vulnerable and innocent." ([00:39])

• Ibrahim Abu Hamadan (Gaza Resident):

  "We call on international bodies to provide us with protection. We are civilians." ([02:42])

• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy:

  "They’re beautiful, they’re going to be faster, but most importantly, a better experience for the traveling public." ([04:27])

Key Timestamps

• [00:15] — Minneapolis school shooting report
• [01:16] — South Florida immigration facility developments
• [01:53] — Israel-Gaza evacuation and humanitarian crisis
• [03:13] — Illinois Governor’s public safety stance
• [04:09] — Amtrak’s new Acela train launch
• [04:47] — Stock market update

This concise episode covers urgent news stories of national and global significance, emphasizing ongoing crises, government responses, and impactful changes in public transit and safety.